Do air purifiers really help with allergies? It's a question that many people who suffer from allergies ask themselves. While some studies suggest that air purifiers can reduce the amount of pollen in the air, which in turn should alleviate allergy symptoms, the results will differ from person to person. Air purifiers only filter air in a very small space inside the house, limiting their benefits. Apart from the immediate space or room where they are located, they will not affect small particles distributed on other levels or rooms.
The exact operation of an air purifier will vary depending on the size of the room where it is located, the local climate, the model of the purifier, and your personal health. Be wary of bold claims from manufacturers as Honeywell got into legal trouble for overstating the effectiveness of its air purifiers. Pediatricians and immunologists say an air purifier could be one of many tools to help your family survive allergy season, but it's not a panacea. In addition to a portable air purifier, there are also ways to install air purifiers in your home ventilation system. Adequate ventilation is a better form of protection, but an air purifier can help when ventilation is difficult to implement. Air purifiers work to reduce the amount of pollen in the air, which in turn should alleviate allergy symptoms. When I asked Ted Myatt, an environmental microbiologist who works at the University of Rhode Island and is a Honeywell consultant, if I would feel healthier after using a home air purifier for an extended period, he was hesitant to give me a definite answer.
He suggested that I keep a close eye on my usual symptoms, such as watery eyes and nose, to see if using an air purifier would make any difference. Air purifiers, also known as air filters, help reduce the amount of pollution in the air of a designated space. Studies have shown that air purifiers can help people with common allergies by trapping pollen and other irritants inside their filters. To work effectively, air purifiers need to remove extremely small particles suspended in the air, between 0.1 and 1 um. Elizabeth Matsui, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and chair of the Air Pollution and Indoor Allergens Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology noted that pollen doesn't stay in the air for long; it tends to settle quickly on the ground. For people with allergies, scientific studies have shown that air filtration reduces these airborne allergens and can provide some relief. There are mixed opinions as to whether air purifiers are a reliable solution to help prevent seasonal allergies.
My allergist recommended a good brand of mattress covers and pillows for my bed, and we have air filters in the attic and on the ground floor. Air purifiers can significantly improve the quality of life in the home but people who suffer from allergies and other respiratory problems may need additional guarantees. While we know that air purifiers can reduce the amount of pollution in the air, they may not be the most effective method for alleviating allergy symptoms.
